Christian Perspectives

Pope appeals for ‘courage’ in face of global poverty

Pope Benedict XVI urged world leaders Sunday to act “with courage” to sweep away global poverty when they gather in New York this week for the UN General Assembly.

More than 120 heads of state and government will attend the debate that begins Tuesday against the backdrop of global economic woes that threaten to further set back the fight against poverty.

“I would like to call on the leaders who are gathering in New York ... to take and implement with courage the necessary measures to eradicate poverty, hunger, ignorance and the spread of pandemics,” the pope said.

“Such a commitment requires, in these times of global economic difficulties, special sacrifices,” added the leader of the Roman Catholic Church in his angelus prayers at his Castel Gandolfo residence near Rome.

One major theme for this year’s General Assembly debate will be the flagging effort to meet the poverty-slashing Millennium Development Goals by a 2015 deadline against a backdrop of soaring food and energy prices.

The Vatican has observer status in the United Nations, with its representative eligible to contribute to debates.

ITALY, Tuesday, AFP

Adieu to former Principal Enderamulla SJC Bernie Perera

Bernie Perera, former Principal of St. Joseph’s College, Enderamulla retired after 13 years of dedicated service. She joined St. Joseph’s College, Enderamulla in January 1996.

At that time the school started from humble beginning of 70 children and two teachers headed by Bernie. This school started in 1996 from Grade 1 has now grown into a fully fledged college with classes up to Grade 13 and 1500 students and staff of 36 teachers. She was appointed by Rev. Dr. Stanley Abeysekera former Rector of St. Joseph’s College, Colombo at that time. Bernie Perera worked under priests in charge Rev. Frs. Kenedy Perera, Sam Perera and Sudath Gunathilaka.

Bernie Perera as the principal played a vital role in the success of the college. Her administrative skills, intelligence, timely action and personal direction have helped to promote disciplined student population with excellent religious and moral values.

The construction of four buildings including well equipped 3 storeyed building under the supervision of Rev. Frs. Sudath Gunathilaka, Victor Silva and Sylvester Ranasinghe, was a personal achievement of Mrs. Bernie Perera.

Hailing from a respectable family from Colombo North, she had her education at leading Girls’ schools. St. Anthony’s College, Colombo, St. Pauls’ Convent Kelaniya and Holy Cross College, Gampaha. She is a mother of three. Two daughters and one son. Her husband is Frank Perera. She is a fully fledged social worker. She served 15 years in Enderamulla Daham Pasala and as a preacher in marriage encounter programs in Gampaha District, and was a lady Lion in Wattala.

Rev. Fr. Anthony Fernandopulle was appointed as a Principal of St. Joseph’s College, Enderamulla in 2006 and she was the head mistress since then. All Josephians both young and old wish Bernie Perera more strength, good health, courage and God blessings to serve the public for many more years to come.

Padminie Nanayakkara

Feast of St. Michael, Koralawella

The annual feast of St. Michael the Archangel, will be celebrated on September 29 in the 148 years old church at Koralawella, Moratuwa. Arrangements have been made to hold the annual church feast in a fitting manner, under the guidance of Rev. Fr. Leo Camillus, parish priest, supported by the Parish Pastrol Council and parishioners.

Vespers, the even song of praise and worship will be held on September 28 at 7.30 p.m. presided over by Rev. Fr. Edmund Tillekeratne (University Chaplain, Colombo Diocese).

Rt. Rev. Dr. Devsritha Valance Mendis, Bishop of Chilaw, will be the chief celebrant at the solemn festive mass on September 29 at 8.30 a.m. After the festive mass the miraculous statue of St. Michael the Archangel will be taken round the village, in an artistically decorated chariot, followed by devotees in procession.

When the procession returns to the church, the parish will be re-dedicated to its patronal saint and with the blessing with the statue the festivities come to a close.

St. Michael the Archangel

About the year 530 Pope Boniface II, chose September 29, formally dedicated to all the angels, to dedicate a church at Rome to St. Michael, the Archangel. Since then, the feast of St. Michael is celebrated throughout the Christiandom on this day. St. Michael, Gabriel and Raphael are three Archangels, liturgically venerated by the church and St. Michael is regarded the captain of the heavenly hosts.

Michael means, ‘who is like God’, the war cry of the good angels which recalls to mind the battle in heaven between St. Michael and the rebellious Lucifer. St. Michael’s name appears in the Old Testament and in the New Testament and in approcryphal writings.

Michael defeats the dragon

“And war broke out in heaven, Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. The dragon and his angels fought back, but they were defeated and there was no longer only place for them in heaven. The great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and satan, the deceiver of the whole world war thrown down to the earth and his angels were thrown down with him.” (Revelation to John 12:7-9).

The Scripture (Daniel (9:23), St. Gabriel says to Daniel, when he asks God’s forgiveness on behalf of his people “Daniel, I have come to give you wisdom and understanding.”

“The prince of the Kingdom of Persia opposed me twenty one days. So Michael, one of the chief princess, came to help me.” (Dan. 10:13)

“There is no one with me, who contends against the princess except, Michael, your prince.” (Dan. 11-1).

“At that time Michael, the great prince, the protector of your people, shall arise.” (Dan. 12:1).

Satan’s defeats are mentioned in Luke 10:18. “I saw satan fall like lightening from heaven.”

Death of Moses

With reference to the death of Moses (Deuteronomy 34: 5-6) he died in the land of Mo - at the Lord’s command and was buried opposite Beth-pe-or, but no one knows to this day where he was actually buried. St. Jude refers to a Jewish belief of a dispute between St. Michael and the devil over the body of Moses. St. Michael prevented the Jews from hero worshipping him but the devil tried to disclose the tomb of Moses and persuade the Jewish people to sin.

“But when the archangel Michael contended with the devil and disputed about the body of Moses, he did not dare to bring a condemnation of slander against him, but said, “The Lord rebuke you.” (Epistle of Jude 8:9).

For instance, he was the cherubim, standing at the gate of the garden of Eden (Genesis 3), and the Angel of the Lord appeared to Moses in a flame of fire, out of a burning bush (Exodus 3:2), the angel who stood in the way against Balaam, (Numbers 22:22), the angel who crushed the army of Sennacherub (2 kings 19:35). St. Michael is acknowledged the warrior who continues the fight against the devil till the second coming of Christ, the guardian of Christians and the church, who offers our prayers to God as rising incense and carries the souls of the dead to God.

Christie Ferdinando (JP)

Marching with children towards peace

Internationally acclaimed ‘Sarasit Phithayalai School Marching and Show Children’s Band from Thailand, will be in Sri Lanka from October 1 to 13 to celebrate the World Children’s Day, on the invitation of Don Bosco Sri Lanka, who has taken the initiative to organise this international event, ‘Marching Towards Peace With Children’, as the theme with a view to promote the message of Peace and Harmony.

Internationally reputed Children’s Band from Thailand has performed their spectacular and breathtaking musical concert to audiences across Thailand, Korea, United Kingdom, Italy and Canada. The group will perform in Colombo, Negombo, Anuradhapura, Tangalle and Galle and the concert which will be mainly for children would have musical items covering about two hours to entertain the audience.

The ‘Sarasit Phithayalai School Marching and Show Band’ consists of 125 Buddhist Children members, ranging from grade three to grade twelve (9-18 years of age). All the children in this band are presently students of Don Bosco Thailand. The Band is scheduled to perform at the President’s House on Thursday, October 2, with President Mahinda Rajapaksa as chief guest. The organisers have invited other eminent personalities to be present at the occasion.

Don Bosco Congregation, the host of the event has taken the advantage of the event “World Children’s Day” to recall to their minds what Jocelyn Sxheer once wrote...

“Children of the World: Children of the world, I pray You’ll stay alive to see the day when calm, peace, and love will show in each and every place you go. Throw away those deadly guns and knives and try to salvage those many lives whose hopes and dreams will never be fulfilled by hate and bullets they’ll be killed. Integrity and honesty will set the pace to your own children you’ll save face. Cyberspace and computers have made you smart but where is your decency, purity of heart? Children of the world, I pray for you that you will be all that you can do... Let’s dismiss the violence, booze, and drugs go back to ambition, trust, and hugs”.

In a statement issued by the Don Bosco Congregation said: “At Don Bosco we believe...When children learn that happiness is not found in what a person has but in who that person is... When they learn that giving and forgiving are more rewarding than taking and avenging...When they learn not to hate a person whose difference they fear, but to fear that kind of hate... When they learn that there is pleasure in the power of lifting others up, not in the pseudo power of pushing them down.

When they learn that the value of a life is best measured not by the years spent accumulating possessions, but by the moments spent giving of one’s self-sharing wisdom, inspiring hope, wiping tears, and touching hearts.. When they learn to withhold judgment of people, knowing everyone is blessed with good and bad qualities, and the emergence of either often depends on the help given or hurt inflicted by others...

When children learn these ideals and how to practise them in the art of good living, they will no longer be children - they will be blessings to those who know them, and worthy models of the world.

Dream, Believe and Inspire because Children are our Future!

Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) is a religious Congregation founded by St. John Bosco in the year 1859 in Turin, Italy for the purpose of helping, educating and training poor boys. Worldwide there are more than 34,000 Salesians in over 130 countries spread in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America, Middle East and North America.

The Salesians presence in Sri Lanka was started by the French Missionary, Rev. Fr. Henry Remery in the year 1956. Till date the Salesians of Don Bosco in Sri Lanka have established an islandwide network of 16 Centres spread to 7 Provinces within 11 districts of the country, located in following areas under the guidance of the Provincial Superior Rev. Fr. Anthony H. Pinto working for the underprivileged children of Sri Lanka irrespective of Caste, Creed or Colour.

Mother Teresa Legend in her own life-time

W. T. A. Leslie FERNANDO

The 11th death anniversary of Mother Teresa, an embodiment of Christian love and charity was celebrated on September 05. She was the founder of the Sisters of the Missionaries of Charity, a religious order that spread so rapidly all over the world. A legend in her lifetime itself, she passed away on September 05,1997.

It was due to the untiring efforts of the missionaries that the Catholic faith spread all over the world. They served the Lord thousands of miles away from their homes, penetrated jungles, learned foreign languages, educated natives, civilised barbarians and laid their bones in far distant lands.

Even today the missionaries undergo various difficulties, make sacrifices, adjust themselves to different climates and do social service in far away countries in the name of Christ.

Mother Teresa was born to Albanian parents on August 26, 1910 at Skope, Yugoslavia, now Macedonia. Her lay name was Agnas Gonxha Boajaxhiu. At the age of 18, she submitted to the call of God, left Skopje for Ireland and joined the order of the sisters of Our Lady of Loretto. She took her vows as a nun on March 26, 1931. As the majority of Loretto nuns in Ireland served in India, Mother Teresa got a teaching appointment in Loretto Convent, Calcutta. She took her final vows as a Loretto nun in 1937.

In 1946 she got a call within and was inspired by the Holy Spirit to serve among the suffering in the stinking slums in Calcutta. In 1948 she got the permission of the Church authorities to form the congregation of the Sisters of the Missionaries of Charity. In order to help the sick she underwent four mothers training course to prevent and cure diseases at the hospital of Medical Missionary Sisters in Patna.

When mother Teresa returned to Calcutta, she began in a humble way by working in the slums and visiting the homes of the sick to treat them. She helped the poor children to wash, clean and care for themselves. She also began to teach 5 children in streets of Calcutta to read and write under a tree. A few days later she was provided with a building.

In 1950, when the Holy See in Vatican approved her order, 12 nuns had joined the congregation. They were committed to serve the poorest of the poor on their own volition out of their love for Jesus. That was their chosen way to live upto the Gospel and spread the message of God for the salvation of people.

When Mother Teresa established the order of the ‘Sisters of the Missionaries of Charity’ on October 17, 1950, she introduced the white cotton saree with a blue border as the official costume of the congregation. They were to serve the sick, the disabled, the destitute, the unwanted and the helpless.

In 1952, Mother Teresa opened up a house in Calcutta called ‘Home of the Dying Destitute’ to provide a happy death for those on the verge of dying by deadly diseases like cholera, T.B. and dysentery. Mother Teresa and her nuns gathered the dying from the streets of Calcutta, cleaned them gave medical attention and took care of them until they passed away.

Later Mother Teresa set up an institution to look after the unwanted and uncared for children called the ‘Home for the Child’. Some of the inmates of this centre was picked up by Mother Teresa and other nuns. The others were sent from hospitals, prisons and by the Police. Likewise in 1957 Mother Teresa set up a colony for the treatment of lepers called ‘The Peace Colony’.

Today they have established institutions to nurse the sick, to give shelter to the abandoned, to care for those subject to earthquakes and floods and attend to those suffering from aids.

In due course the services of the Sisters of the Missionaries of Charity spread to countries outside India as well. Mother Teresa was invited to open up institutions all over the world. Her first entity outside India was established in Venezuela in 1965. Today institutions of the Sisters of the Missionaries of Charity are found in 105 countries with 569 branches. In Sri Lanka they have institutions in Colombo, Kandy and Moratuwa.

At the time of the death of Mother Teresa, there were over 4000 nuns, 400 priests and brothers and over hundreds of thousands of lay volunteers who had joined Mother Teresa to serve the poorest of the poor.

When Mother Teresa was awarded the Nobel Prize she used all the cash award that came with it for charity work. Mother Teresa did not stop merely drawing attention to the downtrodden in society. She had loving trust in God and gave effect to God’s power and spirit and for the uplift of the poor and the helpless. The role played by Mother Teresa on this earth is unique.

She appealed to the milk of human kindness and showed that so much could be achieved through love and charity. The process of canonization of Mother Teresa is under way. The whole Catholic world is eagerly awaiting the canonization of Mother Teresa as a Saint.

(The writer is a former High Court Judge and Vice-President of Newman Society Alumini Association)

Vatican to host meeting on evolutionary theory

The Vatican announced Monday it will host a conference on evolutionary theory next year coinciding with its 150th anniversary — and as creationism gains ground among fundamentalist Christians.

“There is absolutely no incompatibility between evolutionary theory and the Bible’s message,” Gianfranco Ravasi, in charge of cultural affairs at the Vatican, told reporters, noting the theory had interested Pope Benedict XVI and his recent predecessors.

Coming on the anniversary of Charles Darwin’s groundbreaking 1859 publication “On the Origin of Species,” the Vatican’s March 3-7 meeting — which will gather a variety of scientists, philosophers and Catholic and Protestant theologians — sharply contrasts with the stance of creationists. The latter argue for a literal interpretation of the Bible’s account of the origin of life.

“It isn’t the theory of evolution as a scientific theory that is incompatible with faith and in God the creator,” but rather that it is not the only way to explain reality, said Marc Leclerc, a professor at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, which is co-organising the meeting with US-based University of Notre Dame.

Pope Benedict, who has discussed evolutionary theory during at least two private sessions, argues Darwinism is insufficient to explain the origins of life.

VATICAN CITY,

Tuesday, AFP